Devotionals & Quiet Times

Why I’ll Be Shouting at the Sunset

It’s been a long time since I really sat and appreciated nature. If I’m being honest, I’m more of an indoor, AC at 75-degrees kind of gal.

Lately, though, I’ve been thinking I might be missing out on something just past my window shades.

What about you? How often do you intentionally take time to watch the sunset?

It’s hard when you’ve got a busy life. There are lots of things competing for your attention, but maybe we should all take a lesson from Phil Burton, who runs the Ron Burton Training Village in Hubbardston, Mass.

Two years ago, Phil took 120 students to the top of a hill near the camp. They turned off all their devices and everyone focused on the sky.

“They were all wondering what we were doing there, but once the sun started setting the kids just started clapping, and that turned to cheering, and that turned to screaming,” Phil said. “We did a huge prayer around God’s awesomeness on that hill.”

Since that time he has made it a tradition of sorts for his students to stop and watch the creation all around them once a month during their time at the camp.

On June 27, you can join others in appreciating God’s creation in a movement known as #JointheApplause.

#JointheApplause is also a great time to reach out to neighbors and friends who do not have a personal relationship with Christ. Check our social media for Spiritual Conversation Starters to help make connections, build relationships and start conversations.

“The important part is acknowledging God created everything we see and we are not to take it for granted,” said Jeff Knipe, who has participated in #JoinTheApplause for the last several years.

He and his family of six always stop what they’re doing to take a moment to praise God for His creation on the last Saturday of June.

The Bible reminds us of how God is revealed in nature.

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20 (NLT)

So on Saturday, June 27, I will get out of my comfortably air-conditioned home and take a short drive to the beach to sit and watch the sunset. I will turn off my phone, I will silence my thoughts and I will praise my Creator.

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